Looking for some advice. Our neighbours are having a new combi boiler fitted and the builders are planning to route the extract next to one of our windows – within approx 50cm. It’ll be at a right angle to the window, blowing across it (if that makes sense).

Common sense would seem to say this isn’t safe or legal – can anyone advise ?

Thanks.

Best getting a Gas Safe engineer in to look at in situ. Gas Safe has replaced Corgi registration.

For less than 7kW can be as close as 300mm.

See: http://www.euroheat.co.uk/ImgShare/980180398IN1105_Balanced_Flue_Tech_Guide_Low%20Res.pdf

Page 5, measurement C.

NB It will make using the window impossible as it will stink like hell, we can smell our neighbour’s flue from about 3m away if the wind is in the right direction.

Just because the regulations say they can, it doesn’t mean they should if it’s going to cause a nuisance to neighbouring properties.

I am

In general there should be at least 300mm from side of flue to boundary between properties, regardless of openings into the building and a minimum of 600 mm from the end of the flue in the same direction that the flue is facing (ie end on)

There is then a whole host of other clearances required from windows, eaves, soffits, openings, other terminals etc etc.

Footflaps the OP has asked for advice on a combi boiler, Which will be a fan flued appliance. The throw of the products of combustion from the flue will be approximately 2m, If it is a problem you can ring building control or I think the environment agency, and get the boiler shut down. Although they could also get a plume management kit as well.

Edit: The problem is there’s no actual dimension for you problem as such only discretion of the gas fitter so too speak as to whether or not POC’s could enter you property

If the installation is done and registered by a GasSafe person under the competent persons scheme there is very little building control can do even if the flue is venting v.close to someone elses property.

Footflaps the OP has asked for advice on a combi boiler, Which will be a fan flued appliance.

Doesn’t appear to make any difference: 300mm

http://support.ambirad.co.uk/article.aspx?id=10724

Does the wind blow towards your window? If so then you may have a problem wiyh the acid in fumes reacting with upvc windows. I’d suggest your neighbour put in a verticle rise of at least 1m and a plume kit if this is the case.

Thanks for all the advice – I’ve emailed our local building control dept. and I’ll hopefully speak to them tomorrow.

You cannot discharge a boiler flue across a neighbouring property boundary where it will cause a nuisance, regardless of relevant clearances to openings in buildings.

A fanned draught flued boiler has a clearance of 300mm horizontally to an opening, or 300mm directly below an opening. Also the same measurement for internal / extrnal corners, and 600mm from a surface facing the terminal.
Unless the manufacturers instructions are different then you observe the clearances stated in them.

Aprroved Document J (section 3.23 re nuisance from flues)

Footflaps – those instructions do not relate to a gas boiler, different fuels have different regulations and go about things in a different way.

Mail me if you need more info timATj-twren.eclipse.co.uk